10 Ways for You to Survive the Rising Cost of Living

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I imagine the only people in the U.S. who don’t know that the cost of living has shot through the roof recently are little children under the age of one. Everyone else knows just how much everything – gas, food, utilities – has increased. It all ties in together because you can’t have rising gas prices without it affecting the food prices (i.e., more expensive transportation), you can’t have higher food costs without it affecting the housing market: people need to eat more than they need to pay their mortgage. It’s like a domino effect that ends somewhere that’s kind of scary for a lot of Americans.

Unless you’re very independently wealthy or you’ve learned to survive on very little, you’re feeling the crunch. Until the economy improves and the cost of a gallon of gas no longer determines if you have a good day or a bad one, here are 10 ways you can survive the rising cost of living, or what’s become a difficult time for a lot of us:

Save Money on Gas

1. Carpool or bike. If you regularly read the comic strip Blondie, you know that Dagwood Bumstead was way ahead of the current green age because he carpools to work every day. Sure, he’s usually running late, but I think we can cut the guy some slack because he’s helping the environment. It seems that people don’t want to carpool as much anymore, though I’m not sure why.

Biking is another alternative, which I’m even more fond of because it requires no gas, releases no emissions and it’s good for your body. I know everyone can’t do this because they live too far from their job (and during the hot summer, it may not work for hygiene reasons unless your job has a shower you can use – otherwise, your coworkers may start steering clear of you, eco-friendly star or not).

2. Run errands one day of the week. This may require more organization on your part, but if you can plan to run errands that are in the same general area one day a week instead of making multiple trips, this will save on gas. 

3. Fill up first thing in the morning. Now the basis for this is a lot more scientific that I can get into, but it has to do with the air temperature, the temperature of the gas and the amount of space available in your gas tank versus how much gas actually goes in there. In short, fill up when it’s coolest to get all of the gas you’re paying for. 

4. Work flex hours if you can. If you have the option to work at home one or two days per week, this is worth looking into. You’ll save on gas, as well as the aggravation of driving in rush hour traffic.  

Save Money on Food

5. Make a grocery list and stick to it. When I don’t make a list, I often wander the grocery store aisles and just start grabbing stuff. Then I’m irritated when I get home and see that I already have these impulse items hidden in the back of the pantry. Look in your cabinets before you leave home, make a list and, most importantly, stick to it. I like to mark items off as I get them (this is very satisfying for listy types like myself).

6. Compare prices between stores. It’s worth it to sign up for those free discount cards that many grocery stores offer nowadays; you’ll get their weekly fliers in the mail advertising specials. When you get the fliers, look over your grocery list and see if anything you need is on sale that week. If different stores have savings, you may have to shop at more than one store (so long as it doesn’t involve driving across town, it make sense), but some stores accept competitors’ coupons.     

Save Money on Electric Bills

7. Use compact fluorescent bulbs. I know the initial cost is higher, but in the long run, these light bulbs last 10 times longer than standard bulbs and can save you around $60 in electricity bills per bulb. 

8. Set your thermostat higher during the summer. The most comfortable temperature in your home is going to vary, but you should set it about one to two degrees higher than what makes you content. If you can manage to increase the thermostat temperature by one degree a week, you can expect to save between five and 20 percent off your electric bill depending on where you live.

Save Money on Personal Services

9. Extend the time between services. If you get your hair colored every six weeks at $60 a pop, try going every eight weeks. Over the course of a year, this will save you about $130, which you can put into an interest bearing savings account to get the most from your newfound saving ability. 

10. Learn to do some things yourself. I’m a big DIY person, but even if you’re not, there are some tasks you can tackle yourself. Manicure, pedicure, eyebrow waxing, moustache trimming…these are simple services that many people can do themselves.

There’s no telling when this economic crisis is going to end. I know that some of these ways may seem small, but remember this: just as money adds up when it’s coming in, it adds up the same way when going out. You may think saving $5.00 today is no big deal, but when you save $5.00 here, another $10.00 there and an extra $15.00 someplace else, it does add up…to savings which you can keep.